The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1887-06-11

Il presume YOU would shade thar pricc
little for CASH" /
~ might. very little. returned ih'
jewclcr. now speaking coldly IN ms urn
..WcIl I'll sec. I'll send my wife !
around 10 lnok at it, She likes such toys. |
but whether She viii buy or not Is quite
uncertain. Luckily for me. She has money
of her own. For my part. three thonsana
dollars is too much to put into Il level.
What is your business. Mr. barton:
inquired Fontainc.
Importer of oil paintings. am also
commissioned by wealthy people TO guy
works of art abroad, and usually make
trip once IA year. Am here now to receive
a shipment from Antwerp. My wife and
I are stopping at the DeSplaines House;
He laid down An embossed card, neatly
engraved with his name and bearing his
crest. bowed and sauntered out.
Three DAYS later Il messenger came 10
Reginald Fontaine with this note;
DEAR SIR: Please bring the locket to
Room "a, Desplaines house at TWO Gci anS
| is unable to leave the hotel. ! can't promise
YOU that she will buy: but, as you like to show
| your wares, I would be pleased to have You
submit the locket to her. Yours,
| Reginald Fontalne thought moment.
Then his dignity asserted itself. he
called his trustv brother, and showed him
the note.
"Jean. I'll let you wait on these peo-
pie. Sell the lo4ket if you can. Get
twenty-seven hundred if you can't 40
any better. Take good care of the
locket."
A porter led Jean that afternoon to
Room "a. and knocked upon the door.
Enter said voice within.
Jean went in. A lovely young woman,
richly clad, with pale face and languid
air. reclined in an easy chair. Before her
on a centre table was tray OF VINE
glasses. Mr.. Barton stood opposite. and
still upheld newly opened bottle from
which he had just poured tiny glass OF
dark wine He bowed to Jean.
You are from the jeweler'sF
YES. sir"
''Step forward. if you please.
The porter went out and closed the
door. Jean handed forth the locket,
which Mr.. Barton passed to his wife.
How beautiful"
She held it TO the light and examined
il critically.
', Had You not better take this nowF
: said Mr. Barton. prOflering her the glass
OF wine.
She took it. and looked toward Jean.
Perhaps this gcntleman--" she said
sug@estively.
:. Certainly" replied Mr.. Barton. II,
poured out two more glasses, and pushed
one toward Jean - viii you join us
sir! II is port. DO you like swee
| wine"
= Jean was very temperate and unused t
y liquors. But here were a couple, evl
IDENTIFY of high social rank. accustomed
= no doubt, to the foreign use of wine. l
might give offcnse to refuse, and bargain
:. often hang on trihes. He responds
u courtcously. and slipped the sweet port t
the quick bottom of his glass.
= :. Take seat here" said the lady.
y Jean accepted large easy chair by he
=, side. She turned her bright, dazzlin
eyes upon him,
:" You are certain these are real dii
: monds?"
" Warranted genuine. madam" r.
II, turned Jean.
81" His voice sounded thick to his ow
>, ears. strange oppression rose into h
!, brain. the world seemed rocking upc
endless waves. and the lady and the lock
.. appeared to float away-away.
is When Jean awoke, twilight filled Il
in room with fantastic shadows. and IA
lit from the street lamps fell Pickering on Il
walls
to Tie knew he was in place he had >e'